Scottish Bowls Icons Alex Marshall and Paul Foster Spearhead Commonwealth Games Squad

POLICY WIRE — Edinburgh, Scotland — Esteemed bowls veterans Alex ‘Tattie’ Marshall and Paul Foster are set to lead the Scottish national team at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, bringing a combined legacy of 13 medals to the squad.

The highly decorated pair, renowned for their exceptional skill, will once again compete together in the men’s pairs event. They previously secured a gold medal in this discipline during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, showcasing their formidable partnership.

Veteran Leadership and New Talent

For Marshall, this selection marks his eighth appearance at the Games, adding to his impressive tally of seven career medals. Expressing his sentiments, Marshall stated, "It remains an immense honour and a privilege to be chosen to represent Team Scotland at such a prestigious event. The chance to participate in a home Games again is deeply significant to me, and I am confident that Paul and I will dedicate our utmost effort to secure another medal for our nation."

The Scottish contingent also introduces fresh talent alongside its seasoned champions. Beth Riva, Marshall’s niece, who clinched the 2025 World Championship mixed pairs title with Jason Banks last year, will join Caroline Brown in the women’s pairs competition. Meanwhile, Banks himself is slated to make his debut for Team Scotland in the men’s singles event, marking a significant milestone in his career.

This edition of the Commonwealth Games is breaking new ground for the sport. For the very first time in the event’s history, all bowls and para bowls competitions will take place indoors, hosted at the state-of-the-art SEC Centre in Glasgow. This strategic decision aims to provide optimal playing conditions for all athletes. Read more about major sports venues globally.

Para Bowls Squad Targets Continued Success

The para bowls team arrives with high expectations, with several athletes aiming to replicate their past triumphs. Pauline Wilson, Garry Brown, Robert Barr, and his director Sarah Jane Ewing are all looking to secure consecutive gold medals after their commanding performances at the Birmingham 2022 Games.

"Representing Scotland is always a special moment. We have a strong team, combining experience with exciting new prospects, and we are all driven to deliver our best performances for the country," a team spokesperson noted, emphasizing the squad’s determination.

The complete Team Scotland bowls squad features a robust lineup across various categories. The men’s pairs will see Paul Foster MBE and Alex Marshall MBE. In the women’s pairs, Beth Riva and Caroline Brown will compete. The men’s pairs (B6-B8) include Garry Brown and Stuart Sloan, while the women’s pairs (B6-B8) feature Mary Wilson and Pauline Wilson. For the mixed pairs (B2-B3), Mary Stevenson and Robert Barr are selected. Individual talent will be showcased by Jason Banks in men’s singles and Sophie McGrouther in women’s singles. Directors for the para categories include Sarah Jane Ewing (B2-B3) and Jim Aitken (B2-B3).

The nation eagerly anticipates the performances of its athletes, hoping for another strong showing at the Games. For more on Scottish sporting achievements, explore Scotland’s Iconic Goal Tournament Showdown.